Discover Southwest Florida: Shopping

Author: Karen T. Bartlett

In need of some serious “retail therapy?” We’ve got you covered. Many of the glamorous labels in clothing, jewelry, leather goods and accessories one expects to find in Paris, Milan and New York are available right here on the Gulfshore. Boutiques like Hermès, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo and Christofle share their Naples address at Waterside Shops with moderately priced favorites such as Gap, Ann Taylor and Banana Republic.

World travelers will love Mercato, patterned after the charming old world mercatos of Italy. Tucked among the unique specialty shops are a blend of restaurants, pubs and lounges, a Whole Foods Market and a sophisticated movie theater complex.

Wherever you find yourself from Naples to Fort Myers, a full-size shopping mall with ample parking is nearby. You can find top department stores, including Nordstrom, Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as value-priced stores like Target, T.J. Maxx and JCPenney. Scores of locally owned shops offer distinctive apparel and gifts, and talented jewelers stand ready to create custom bling for you or your beloved.

On Marco, Sanibel and Captiva islands, you’ll discover laid back, island-style shopping villages. Of course, one simply must do the elegant Old Naples shopping and dining district of Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South. And whether for artsy daytime shopping and gallery hopping or nighttime action, a great place to be is the downtown Fort Myers River District.

NAPLES

Fifth Avenue South, six blocks in Old Naples, (239) 435-3742. Continental ambiance offers a mix of sophisticated restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Among the retailers are Petunias, Gallery O, Port Royal Jewelers, Best of Everything, The Lady From Haiti and Moore, and Abbott’s Frozen Custard. Fifth Avenue is home to more than 20 restaurants and sidewalk cafés, as well as the Downtown Naples Information Center at 800 Fifth Ave. S., Suite 103. The Sugden Community Theatre is on Fifth, and The von Liebig Art Center is just around the corner. fifthavenuesouth.com.

Third Street South and the Avenues, located in the heart of Old Naples, (239) 434-6533. Featuring a collection of more than 100 charming shops, the thriving Gallery Row and premier culinary finds. Shops include Marissa Collections, Tickled Pink, Gattle’s, Jami’s and C. Orrico. Restaurants include Campiello, Sea Salt, Handsome Harry’s, Jane’s, Ridgway Bar and Grill, and Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Cafe, among others. In addition to providing a source for area information, the street’s concierge will hold and assist with package deliveries, and arrange transportation. Third Street South is also a Naples’ Wi-Fi hot spot, so bring your laptop. thirdstreetsouth.com.

Tin City, on U.S. 41 at Goodlette-Frank Road, (239) 262-4200. Originally a 1920s clam shelling and oyster processing plant. More than 30 eclectic shops offer kitschy souvenirs, collectibles and handmade goods. Try waterfront dining at Riverwalk Fish & Ale House and Pincher’s Crab Shack, or grab a quick bite at Café Europa, a fixture in Tin City for decades. tin-city.com.

Bayfront, on Goodlette-Frank Road at U.S. 41, (239) 649-8700. Enjoy the colorful European-style architecture while browsing the shops and galleries of this center that includes several dining options, residences and a marina. Specialty stores include Murano Lighting Gallery, Bayfront Clothing Boutique, The Weatherburn Gallery and Jennings of Naples. Restaurants include Stoney’s Steakhouse, Roy’s, Tavern on the Bay and Shane’s Cabana Bar. Other services include Robert of Philadelphia salon, Prudential Florida Realty and Stoneburner Properties. bayfrontnaples.com.

North from Old Naples on U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail), fine-jewelry lovers or collectors will encounter several upscale jewelry and watch retailers with buildings that resemble the jewels within. Thalheimers is at 3200 Tamiami Trail N., at U.S. 41 and Ridge Street, thalheimers.com. It offers fine Swiss watches, custom and designer jewelry, Lladro gallery and other giftware. Bigham Jewelers, featuring jewelry from internationally acclaimed designers, is farther north at 2425 Tamiami Trail N., bighamjewelers.com. The striking Bigham building is also home to Trudy Labell Fine Art and Eyetopian Optical.

Village on Venetian Bay, Gulf Shore Boulevard North at Park Shore Drive, (239) 261-6100. A newly renovated waterfront village with a taste of Old Italy. Stroll by the bay and shop at more than 50 upscale specialty boutiques for men and women, including A Horse of a Different Color, Pearl, Simply Natural, Wildflower, and Mondo Uomo and Donna, as well as galleries, design studios and waterfront restaurants including Cloyde’s Steak and Lobster, M Waterfront Grille, Miramare, Bayside, The Village Pub and a Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop. venetianvillage.com.

Esplanade, 760 N. Collier Blvd., (239) 394-7772. This shopping plaza is set on Smokehouse Bay with fine dining, select retailers, specialty stores and commercial offices. It also houses a 77-boat-slip marina and a bayside sunset amphitheater. Restaurants include CJ’s on the Bay, Tara Steak and Lobster House and Guy Harvey’s Island Grill. esplanadeshoppes.com.

Marco Town Center Mall, North Collier Boulevard at Bald Eagle Drive. More than 40 shops, restaurants and cafes in a casual outdoor setting. Dining options include the Crazy Flamingo, Susie’s Diner, Summer Day Market and Café, and locally owned boutiques such as La Scarpa, Periwinkles, Blue Mangrove Gallery, Georgie’s and Sandpiper Clothiers. marcotowncentermall.com.

BONITA SPRINGS

The Promenade at Bonita Bay, U.S. 41 and South Bay Drive, (239) 261-6100. A courtyard village includes upscale retail shops, restaurants and offices. Shops include Weekends, DuFrane Jewelers, Bonne Nuit, Evelyn & Arthur, the Mole Hole, Mondo Uomo and Donna, and Jami’s and JCC. Restaurants include the Silver Spoon Café, Molino’s Ristorante and Roy’s. promenadeshops.com.

ESTERO

Coconut Point, south of Corkscrew Road on U.S. 41, (239) 992-9966. Set on seven acres, the shopping area is part of a 500-acre, master-planned community. Shops include J.Crew, Apple, Coach, Sephora, Gymboree, West Elm, Lucky Brand Jeans, Best Buy and more. More than 25 dining offerings include The Grape Wine Bar, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Ted’s Montana Grill and Blue Water Bistro. Hollywood Theaters round out the experience. simon.com.

The River District, historic downtown Fort Myers, is experiencing a resurgence of retail and commercial development with a surge in art galleries. It’s a destination for shoppers looking for the perfect gift or unique home furnishing.

Periwinkle Way, Sanibel’s main road, features open-air shopping perfect for casual strolling. From seashells to souvenirs and clothing to crafts, there is something for every taste.

Periwinkle Place is home to restaurants, a day spa, a toy store, shops featuring unique gifts, galleries, apparel boutiques and jewelry stores. Some stores include Island Pursuit, Chocolate Expressions, Peach Republic and the original Chico’s. periwinkleplace.com.

CAPTIVA ISLAND

Chadwick’s Square, at the entrance to South Seas Resort on the north end of Captiva Island, (239) 472-5111. Features a unique selection of specialty shops with everything from beachwear to home furnishings, including a pizzeria, gallery, jeweler, florist, clothing shops, antique dealers, grocery and beauty salon.

OUTLET PARADISEEstero, located between Fort Myers and Bonita Springs, is an outlet shopper’s dream. Miromar Outlets has 140 big-name stores from Jockey to Neiman Marcus. Staying on the islands? Check out Naples Outlet Center near Marco Island or Tanger Outlets near Sanibel Island.